The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Taraba

  • “Taraba is broke”

    Taraba state is bankrupt. Its treasury is empty; local government councils can either pay salaries or execute projects, it was revealed at the weekend.
    The Council Chairman of Sardauna local government area, Dr. David Jedua who gave the hint said “for the first time the state is so broke that even the treasury of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is empty”.
    “The bureau for Local Government is bankrupt. That is why the local governments are finding it difficult to pay salaries, talk more execute projects”, he said.
    He spoke at the 17th annual Cultural Festival of the Bang people, held in Bang Fim.
    Jedua said some people are in government but there are “sycophants”.
    “There are just there leaking the boots of the government; they cannot bring anything to the doorsteps of the people”, he said.
    Former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Amb. Emmanuel Njiwah had earlier alleged that “heavy looting” was going on in Taraba state through the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
    The bureau holds the joint account through which the local governments get their monthly federal statutory allocations.
    Njiwah said: “Go and see the mess going on in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The looting is unquantifiable.
     “Take the SURE-P funds, for instance; the money has all gone.”
  • Taraba and culture of impunity

    Taraba and culture of impunity

    In this piece, human rights activist Comrade Lanre Suraju contends that the political impasse in Taraba State may continue to undermine governance, the constitution and democracy.

    Community-Based Organisations, (CBOs), professional organisations and the human rights community have expressed concern about developments in Taraba State.

    In recent times, governance has virtually collapsed in Taraba State and there seems to be the conspiracy of silence across the country. For one thing, Taraba is in the Northeast, distant from the mainstream media and isolated from the economic hubs in Nigeria.

    Events in this remote state continue to suffer excommunication and isolation from the rest of the country. This is to the excruciating pains of the people of Taraba State, whose economic and political lives are negatively being affected by the inactivity of an ailing governor, who nevertheless has become enslaved and trapped by a cabal that has no legitimacy, no constitutional status and no political structure. Yet, the cabal continues to rule the state by exploiting the ill disposition of the legitimately elected Governor of the state, His Excellency, Dambaba Suntai.

    Governor Danbaba Suntai had an accident during a crash involving a small plane, which he was flying. He was taken abroad. He was yet to fully recover when he was virtually dragged to the seat of power after he was away for 10 months, hence, the struggle for the political and economic control of the State began. In the course of this bizarre struggle, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, slumped at his residence and was rushed to Jalingo Federal Medical College where he later died and was he buried on November 28, 2013.

    This incidence is reminiscence of the case involving the late President Musa Yar Adua when efforts were made by an exploitative cabal to keep him in power against his prevailing health condition.

    In Taraba, a small clique fraudulently claiming to act on behalf of the ailing governor has unsuccessfully tried to hijack the leadership of the state, including the running of the finances of the state. The health challenges of the governor is being compounded by the antics of a self-serving group that wants to keep him in power, instead of allowing him to go for full medical treatment.

    It is appalling that the control of political power and the resources of the state are being lifted above the safety and well-being of the state governor. It is high time Nigerians spoke out and stood on the part of the people of Taraba state who deserve good governance and the right to know the state of health of the leader they had freely elected.

    This is the time to speak out against the criminal and inhuman act of a small, unfeeling group that is more concerned about making financial gains from the misfortune of the state Governor. As it is, Taraba, given the weak democratic institutions and the weak civil society tradition in this great state of cultured people, can no longer speak for itself. The Human Rights Community needs to take over this campaign for sanity in governance.

    One is alarmed that the state of Suntai’s health remains undisclosed to the people that elected him. This has continued to fuel distrust and apprehension. The electorate is therefore not aware if the person they have elected is the one running the state or his unelected, curious and shadowy kitchen cabinet.

    The desperation by the cabal to keep the state in its pocket reached a feverish peak recently when attempts were made to assassinate the current speaker of the House of Assembly. We should also not forget that the former speaker of the Taraba House of Assembly, Tsokwa died in mysterious circumstances.

    The failure of Inspector General of Police, to investigate the forged letter to the House of Assembly said to have been written and signed by Governor Suntai is equally worrisome. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice have refused to obey the court order of an Abuja Federal High Court to cause a letter to the acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar for Medical report on Governor Suntai. An obvious indication of Conspiracy involving government at the federal level.

    At present two, people are standing as governors of one state with conflicting orders. The instability in the state can lead to further break down of law and order, violence and at present constitutes another major threat to democratic renaissance in Nigeria.

    The situation in Taraba has further underlined the fear that politicians value political power, its associated pecks and privileges more than human lives. The House of Assembly in Taraba is to as a matter of urgency institute the process of ascertaining the state of health of the state governor.

    At the height of the controversy, the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, intervened, volunteering that it was better for Suntai to resume his treatment in New York where he came from. The association used the opportunity to appeal to governments in this country to vote more money to the health sector. This is to stem down the huge quantum of medical tourism Nigerians currently indulge in. Suntai has refused to either accept NMA’s counsel or allow the state government function with his deputy as his replacement inspite of overwhelming evidence that it would be better to subscribe to both. The National Assembly has been too busy to intervene on this even as the greatest beneficiary of the child of necessity theory in governance, President Jonathan, has also chosen to be indifferent.

    For now, Taraba is one of the few states that hardly make newspaper headlines on account of violent fights. As the fate of the governor hangs in the balance, especially with the sudden demise of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, violence may not be far from bursting open. How often shall it be repeated that those who make peaceful change impossible shall make violent change inevitable? As we speak, neither the concerned state governments nor the Federal Government has any workable solution to the Ombatse phenomenon in Nasarawa. Yet, the protracted Plateau State killings which has taken the lives of thousands including that of a senator remains far from over as it renews by the day.

    As the chief executive of his state, Governor Suntai swore to defend the constitution on assumption of office but the extent of his faithfulness to this today, after a long period of self-inflicted fate, leaves a lot to be desired. Not only has he denied the state the leadership he promised, the character of the leadership he was even able to offer will hardly qualify as a model for anyone. Governor Suntai allegedly acquired three aircrafts, following his assumption of office as the governor of a state that has no airport. The implication of this is clear: He is an absentee governor and got his absenteeism prolonged, even if unwillingly.

     

    Olanrewaju Suraju is the chairman, CSNAC

     

  • Suntai: My successor will do better

    Suntai: My successor will do better

    Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai says  he believes his successor will perform better than what he has done for the state and people of Taraba.
    He spoke during the Christmas service at the Unity Chapel, Government House, Jalingo.
    Suntai said, as governor, he has touched several lives, but he has also not touched the lives of many.
    “To the ones that I have touched their lives, I thank God. To those I have not been able to touch their lives I am pleading that they should be patient with me. And if I am not able to impact on your life throughout my tenures, my successor would do that.
    “As a human, I have my own limitations, but I believe that God will give us a successor that will perform better than me.
    “For me, I cannot do more than what I can do, because that is the strength and wisdom God has given me”, he said.
    The governor said he would remain ever grateful for the mandate given him to serve the state as governor.
    He said: “I want to apologise if I have wronged anyone of you. It is not my intention to offend anybody”.
    He thanked the people who have stood by him during the “trying times”, and asked them to continue praying for him even when he would leave office as governor.
    Suntai who wished the people happy Christmas celebration, said he is aware that some people were now suffering because they are supporting him. He asked them to remain patient because they would soon smile.
    Tears –the tears of joy flew freely from the eyes of many, including Senator Emmanue Bwacha who was part of the congregation.
    There is a power play between Suntai and his deputy Alhaji Garba Umar, who refused to revert to the position of deputy when Suntai returned abroad from a 10-month medical treatment of the injuries he sustained when a plane he flew crashed near Yola, Adamawa state in October last year.
    Former Governor Jolly Nyame who was in company of Suntai said the governor will complete his eight years in office and handover, because God did not destined anybody to take over his seat.
    Nyame who shares birthday with Christ clocked 58 years Wednesday.
    Referring to Garba Umar, Nyame said: “How can you invite someone to come and eat in your house, during the dinner, something happened and the man packed the whole food and is also trying to drive you out of the house?”
    The former governor said he decided to reconcile with Suntai because he wants the right thing to be done and to be part of the historic handover.
    Nyame said Suntai was strong enough to take charge, adding that Suntai called his grandson of six years old by name on Tuesday night during the Christmas carols.
    The cleric said: “As I am here (in the church) phone calls will start coming in to know why I am here, but I will not deter in what God has asked me to do”.
    Nyame also prayed for former President Olusegun Obasanjo to reconcile with President Goodluck Jonathan.
    “What has happened in Taraba state between me and my successor (Suntai) will happened at the federal level, between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his successor, President Goodluck Jonathan,”, he said.
     
  • Taraba keeper gets Eagles call up

    Taraba keeper gets Eagles call up

    • Team set for Pillars’ test

    As the Super Eagles technical crew continues to juggle with players in camp ahead of the CHAN 2014 African Nations Tourney in South Africa, newly recruited Taraba United goalkeeper, Ibrahim Pius has earned himself a call up to battle for a short alongside the three goalkeepers still in camp.

    Skipper, Chigozie Agbim, Daniel Akpeyi of Heartland and Golden Eaglets’ Dele Alampasu are the three keepers fighting for shirts ahead of the CHAN tourney. Pius, was recently signed from Rangers International of Enugu by Taraba United ahead of the new football season.

    Meanwhile, the Super Eagles will this Friday tackle reigning Nigerian league champions, Kano Pillars of Kano in one of its last practice matches before the CHAN tourney.

    The match has been scheduled for the mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium on Friday morning. The Pillars’game is expected to be the toughest for the national team which has so far played three practice games.

    In the first game the Eagles defeated newly promoted NNL side, Prisons FC of Abuja 4-1, won 2-0 against Niger Tornadoes of Minna in the second and at the weekend, Plateau United were beaten 2-0. Assistant Coach, Dan ‘The Bull’ Amokachi, said the continued invitation of players and playing of practice matches will enable the coaches come up with a team that will do Nigeria proud at the CHAN tourney.

  • Taraba: ‘Umar is not being fair to his boss’

    Taraba: ‘Umar is not being fair to his boss’

    Emmanuel Njiwah  ran for the presidency in the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1993 and the governorship of Taraba State on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform in 2007. He was holding sway as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in the Danbaba Suntai administration before he, alongside five commissioners and two advisers, were  sacked by the Acting Governor Alhaji Garba Umar. In this interview, he speaks on the political impasse and other burning issues in Taraba State. Senior Correspondent, FANEN IHYONGO  was there. Excerpts

    What led to your removal as the Secretary to the Taraba State Government?

    My removal was purely an intrigue of politics. It was far from what I was accused of. There was no correlation between what they said I did and the actual facts on ground. The truth is that after the Governor Danbaba Suntai plane crash on October 25 last year, I visited the injured governor in Germany in January. By this time, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, had been sworn in as acting governor, according to the dictates of the constitution. Now, after my visit, he also went to Germany and saw the governor. When Umar returned, I noticed quite clearly that he was scheming to supplant our boss, the governor. He thought the governor was permanently incapacitated. But I refused to give in to his demand that I should do a memo to the executive council to kick start the process of booting out Suntai. That is the constitutional provision: I would do an executive memo, directing the executive council to authorise the House of Assembly to set up a medical panel to ascertain the governor’s health. Thereafter, anything could happen. Pressures were mounting on me from Umar’s supporters who wondered why I was not ready to assist their man to become the substantive governor. In fact, by April, the pressure heightened. I was promised the deputy governor’s slot if I could make it happen for Umar. But I didn’t dance to their tune. Somehow, I knew the governor was not permanently incapacitated, and Umar was just blindly ambitious. I have worked with the military where I learnt that loyalty to your principal must be 100 per cent, not even 99.9 percent. So, I am 100 per cent loyal to Governor Suntai. Besides, the governor was not permanently incapacitated. What permanent incapacitation means is that the governor would not recover forever or till the end of his tenure. In this case, the governor was recovering very fast. Thus, I became an obstacle and the best thing for Umar to do was to give me a bad name and hang me.

    But your name was mentioned in the flood scandal?

    That is the intrigue I told you about. I was not in the committees of purchase and distribution. I was in the main committee chaired by Alhaji Garba Umar himself. There were committees A and B who were given money to buy relief materials for the flood victims. Our [main] committee wasn’t given any money and the deputy governor is there to bear me witness. Go and ask him if he gave me a kobo of that flood fund. But I can point to some people he is having now in his fake cabinet, who lobbied for contracts from the flood fund for their wives and relatives. He is with them now in his government. I never lobbied for any contract from the committees.

    So, why have you been quiet after all the alleged false accusations?

    I am not quiet. We are in court. Immediately we went to court, Umar sent two people to me not to go to court. But we went ahead because we have to clear our names.

    Say the truth, do you think Danbaba Suntai would ever return and continue as governor, because there are alleged moves to ensure Umar is sworn in as substantive governor?

    Why not? Governor Suntai is getting better every day. He is already back and if not for the machinations of Umar, he should fully resume now. We are aware of all the moves to remove Suntai but we are resisting it, because he is well. This was why Garba used some members of the House of Assembly to say they don’t recognise the governor’s notification of return. This was why he removed the Suntai loyalists from the leadership of the House of Assembly and planted his men there. This is why we were called thieves and sacked. It is a master plan or road map that he is executing now. We knew his plans from start to finish. Governor Suntai is fit to rule. An American president ruled from a wheel chair. So, what is the hullabaloo that the governor is not fit to rule? The governor can make full use of all his faculties. So, what is anyone saying?

    Do you think there is a religious or ethnic dimension to the political crisis?

    Ethnic, a big no, but religion, a capital yes! It is a well known fact that Garba Umar, being a Muslim, wants to institute an Islamic State in Taraba State. There are inscriptions in various parts of Jalingo suggesting an Islamic agenda by Umar. Nigeria does not operate on the basis of a Christian or Muslim state. When Suntai held sway, he never dubbed Taraba a Christian state, because Taraba state consists of Muslims, Christians and animists. So, if Umar rules on the basis of being chosen by God to lead a plural state, fine. But there is great danger when you try to pin a religion on the state. And if he is going about trying to gain the sympathy of other Muslims outside the state, he is going about it wrongly. Taraba is a secular state like other states in Nigeria. Governor Danbaba Suntai did not discriminate against the religions.

    He built the Secretariats of the two great faiths -Christians and Muslims in Jalingo and invited the Sultan of Sokoto and CAN President to co-commission the edifices. Suntai gave them equal treatment. I do not know where this has been done in Nigeria. Today, Umar is not being fair to his boss who was totally fair to both faiths. He is going about calling himself the acting governor when the governor is around.

    If religion is such a factor, how can you explain the fact that some Christian members of the House of Assembly are supporting Umar and even want him to replace Suntai, who is a Christian?

    You see some things are better not said. The fact is that massive funds are at work in the House of Assembly. Garba Umar is manipulating some of the members.

    What is the wider implication of this crisis as the state goes to the poll in 2015?

    Let me start with some basic facts. Taraba is a heterogeneous state with many ethnic groups. A state with 2.5 million people, we have a unique experience of religious harmony. If you go to any homestead in Taraba, you will find members of all the faiths co-habiting. But Graba Umar does not understand this. He is a stranger in the state. He was born in Makurdi and grew up largely outside Taraba. He then worked like all of his life at the UTC where he was living outside the state. He finally settled in Jos. After the crisis there he relocated to Gombe State. So he just came to our state brandishing religion. He doesn’t know that in Taraba, we don’t mix politics with religion.

    It is a taboo. Suntai is a devote Christian but his wife is a Muslim. His elder sister is also a Muslim. He has brothers and cousins who are Muslims. He lives with them. In my family I have Muslims who don’t see me as a Christian and I don’t discriminate against them either. We can die for one another, because we are one family. Even in my tribe, that is the way we are.

    But Garba came from nowhere and started whipping up religious sentiments. He goes about trying to get the support of Muslims outside the state as if he is on a religious mission.

    So, no one should support him on religious grounds.

    What is your view on General TY Danjuma referring to Umar as deputy governor?

    That is the right interpretation by the constitution; he is the deputy governor. You see, the good General does not want to be dragged into all of these. But he knows the constitution and he wouldn’t do anything otherwise.

    Recently, your House of Assembly went ahead to screen commissioner nominees in spite of a court order restraining them. What is your view on that?

    It is unfortunate, but then it is part of a long string of lawlessness and unconstitutional acts going on in Taraba. For a government to blatantly disobey court orders is something else. But then worse things had happened before that. He removed the leadership of the House of Assembly and instituted a docile one. He sacked me and some commissioners and special advisers on trumped up charges. He later said he won’t recognise the letter transmitted by his boss. He was also caught using the governor’s letter head paper.

    What is the way out of all these crises?

    The House of Assembly. It is as simple as that. They were the ones who started the Taraba crisis, especially the constitutional issues. It is they who can resolve it. Then of course the judiciary who would soon give the necessary interpretation on what the law says about this.

    The acting governor has maintained that he is protecting the governor from a cabal that is trying to rule the state by proxy and steal the money he has saved.

    That is laughable. Umar is not protecting the governor or saving anything. He is trying to unseat the governor.

  • Taraba Utd’s boss targets Glo Premier League stay

    Taraba Utd’s boss targets Glo Premier League stay

    FC Taraba United Chairman, Tijani Babangida has stated that the clubs target is to remain in the premier league at the end of their debut season in the elite division.

    In a chat with SportingLife Babangida who played for the Super Eagles before his retirement, said the club’s roadmap for the next soccer season is for Taraba United to remain relevant in the top flight next season before they would be going after another target at the end of the 2013/2014 season.

    “Our projection is modest, as we know where we are coming from. We want to establish our status at the elite division of the Globacom Premier League in the coming season before launching our campaign for a continental slot.

    “We are not over ambitious, but realistic with our aspirations ahead of the new season, so that the club does not embark on a race it won’t be able to finish well,” Babangida told SportingLife.

    FC Taraba United recently appointed seasoned coach, Ndubuisi Nduka to pilot the affairs of the club in place of coach Tunde Abdulrahman who was with the club until the promotion ticket was sealed after a 1-0 victory over Giwa FC on the final day of the season.

    Taraba United, Giwa FC, Crown FC and Abia Warriors are the four newly promoted clubs from the National League to the Globacom Premier League, while 3SC, Wikki Tourists, ABS and Kwara United are those that have taken their places in the lower league.

  • Taraba deputy is looting the state dry, says ex-SSG

    There is “heavy looting” going on in Taraba state, a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Amb. Emmanuel Njiwah alleged yesterday.
    Njiwah who briefed reporters in Abuja, accused the Acting Governor Alhaji Garba Umar of being corrupt.
    Njiwah and five commissioners and two special advisers were sacked by Umar for allegedly mismanaging N400 million flood mitigating grant in July.
    But the former SSG yesterday said he was removed because he refused to support the acting governor, whom he said is desperate to become the substantive governor.
    Njiwah said they have sued Umar over the sack. “The deputy governor was the chairman of the committee,” he added.
    He alleged that Umar masterminded the ongoing political impasse in the state in order to plunder the state’s treasury.
    “He said: Umar has betrayed the governor by scheming to take over power from him at all cost.
    “He has become the number one enemy of Governor Danbaba Suntai because he is trying to unseat him.
    “No one would have looted the state more than this junta. Go and see the mess going on in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The looting is unquantifiable.
    “Garba Umar is looting heavily because he is over ambitious to be the substantive governor.
    “He bribes anyone who is ready to listen to his tales. I am an insider and I know what is going on.
    “Take the SURE-P funds, for instance; the money has all gone.
    “Where are the savings he claims to be protecting?
    Njiwah said he has advised the financial crimes agencies to look at the Taraba state treasury because Umar is looting the state dry.
  • Babangida tips Taraba’s new coach for success

    Babangida tips Taraba’s new coach for success

    Chairman of Taraba Football Club, Tijani Babangida has expressed confidence in the abilities of newly appointed chief coach of his team, Ndubusi Nduka to excel with the newly promoted Glo Premier League team.

    The former Heartland of Owerri coach completed his move from the Oriental side to the Jalingo-based team on Tuesday, and has since commenced work after being unveiled to the players same day.

    Babaginda told SportingLife in Abuja that they agreed a year’s contract with the coach with the option of extending it at the end of the season.

    He also said that several new players would be brought in to beef up the team ahead of the next season league.

    “We are happy to engage coach Ndubusi Nduka and we are very confident that he will lead our team to perform well in our first year of participating in the Nigeria Premier League,” Babangida said.

    Coach Nduka was the chief coach of Heartland FC when they won the Federation Cup back-to-back.

  • Taraba Speaker defies court order

    THE Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly Josiah Sabo Kente yesterday defied a court order by screening six commissioner-nominees sent to the Assembly by Acting Governor Garba Umar, despite a court injunction restraining him.

    Umar, on Monday, submitted the names of Hajiya Batulu Mohammed; Musa Tende; Matthias Danazumi; Iliya Ali; Ate Sale and Sa’adu Shehu to the House.

    The court order, dated November 11, was signed by Justice Ali Ibrahim Andeyangtso of the High Court, Jalingo.

    It sought to stop the Speaker and the Assembly from “screening and approving the appointment of commissioners, pending the hearing and determination of Governor Danbaba Suntai’s motion on notice filed on September 2″.

    Some of the lawmakers walked out of plenary yesterday.

    The screened nominees were immediately sworn in by the acting governor.

    Former Speaker Istifanus Haruna Gbana and former Deputy Speaker Abel Peter Diah were among those who walked out during the screening, saying it was illegal to go ahead with the exercise.

    Diah said: “We decided not to participate in the sitting because we were served the court order restraining us from screening the nominees. On receiving the order, we advised the speaker on the right step.”

    Diah said the lawmakers, including the speaker, saw and went through the court order.

    The speaker, however, denied being served the court order.

    Kente claimed he would have respected the court, if the order was received.

    Sources said photocopies of the court order were pasted on the premises of the Assembly but were torn by policemen on the speaker’s directive.

    Kente’s emergence as speaker was thought to be a way out to end the impasse that has bedevilled the state since Suntai returned from a 10-month medical trip abroad in August.

    That hope has been dashed following yesterday’s disagreement.

    The speaker belongs to the G-16 which stopped Suntai from resuming duties, despite his letter.

    Kente is accused of acting out a script prepared by the acting governor.

    Chief Bailiff of the High Court Markus Gaddas claimed he was beaten up and “dehumanised” in the Office of the Speaker while carrying out his legitimate assignment.

    He said on reaching the Assembly, “I asked for the clerk and I was told he was not in. So, I asked of the speaker because I did not know him in person.

    “When the speaker arrived, I followed him to his office and was waiting for him in the reception. When he eventually came, I gave him the order and showed him my identity card. After reading the order, the speaker pushed me away.

    “Before I knew what was going on, someone else came and told me that the speaker has directed that I should be thrown out of the Assembly premises.

    “Outside the premises, I tried to paste the order on the main gate but that was not possible because one of the policemen came and tore the order into pieces, hitting me with his boot.”

  • Taraba Speaker for burial Nov 28

    Jonathan mourns 

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday mourned the demise of the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa.

    Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, condoled the late Speaker’s family, as well as the government and people of the state.

    He recalled Tsokwa’s commendable role in restoring stability to the state during the recent crises.

    The president urged political leaders in the state to honour the late Speaker’s memory by ensuring that the peace and order continue.

    Jonathan also prayed that God comforts the late Speaker’s family, his colleagues, his friends and associates.